This June, Canada, Mexico, and the US will jointly host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. One of the world’s biggest sporting events, airports from Seattle and Toronto to Guadalajara and Miami will welcome players, teams, media — and potentially millions of fans.
The impact on aviation infrastructure is not to be underestimated. For the 2022 tournament, host country Qatar experienced an arrivals surge of 30% and had to open a deactivated airport to scale operations by 200%. Operational complexity in 2026 is only exacerbated by the decision to split games across three countries.
America’s airports need to be ready. We take a look at three key investment areas that airports hope will manage passengers efficiently and effectively this summer.
Biometrics for faster passenger processing
The use of eGates has increased significantly across the US in recent years, and rollout has accelerated in anticipation of the World Cup. A special taskforce has been established to ensure smooth communication between border agencies and federal departments to make arrivals processes more streamlined.
Both Mexico City and Cancun will become significant travel hubs during the tournament. More eGates will be installed at the airports, with the hope of getting waiting times down to 30 minutes or less. Other automated systems, including self-check in and automated bag drop, will also be deployed across Mexico’s principal airports, as well as at major Canadian hubs like Toronto Pearson, for greater efficiency.
Improving infrastructure and terminal capacity
The advent of the World Cup has encouraged technological adoption, but also quickened the pace on other expansion projects to boost airport capacity. Monterrey International is undergoing a two-phase expansion that will see its processing power increase from 11 million passengers to 16.5 million. Similarly, the Mexican federal government is investing US$489 million in Mexico City International Airport to modernise systems and reduce passenger bottlenecks.
One significant aspect that will be monitored closely this summer is the efficacy of US air traffic control (ATC) A government shutdown in November 2025 led to cancellations and disruption as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) struggled to manage air traffic control staff, who were working unpaid for as long as the shutdown lasted. Compounded by a shortage of personnel and outdated technology, ATC will be under a lot of pressure to ensure flights stay on schedule during this hectic summer calendar.
Improving airport connectivity
Getting thousands of fans from the airport to the stadium is no easy feat. Several transport projects are due to complete in time for improved passenger management at the World Cup.
The perennially delayed Automated People Mover at Los Angeles LAX is hoped to be one of them, although reports vary as to whether the system will be ready by summer or later in 2026. Construction began in 2018 on this 24-hour shuttle that will ferry passengers from the Metro Transit Center through parking areas to the terminals. LAX says the electric shuttle will result in 117,000 fewer vehicle miles travelled per day.
Construction is also underway on Monterrey’s Metrorrey Line 6, which will connect the airport to the city centre. Meanwhile, the US is expanding its public shuttle services and pick-up zones to ensure football fans can reach the stadiums, many of which are only accessible by car.
Conclusion
Predictions suggest the FIFA World Cup could attract as many as 10 million tourists to the US alone. While this represents an exciting economy opportunity, such volumes place significant strain on airports that are already struggling with rising passenger numbers. And with some tickets costing upwards of US$8,000, visitors will not be pleased if their expensive trip of a lifetime is obstructed by aviation mismanagement.
The initiatives rolled out so far look promising. eGates, improved infrastructure, and better public transit could all do much to alleviate the World Cup strain — but only if they are implemented effectively and on schedule.
Join us at Aviation Festival Americas 2026 to discuss the future of airport technology.
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